Digital Tax Follies: DSTs and Lapsed R&D Incentives in the Americas
In the ever-evolving digital economy, ACT | The App Association’s small business members stand at the forefront of innovation. However, global tax policies shift rapidly, and companies of all sizes face both challenges and opportunities. Regions worldwide are exploring ways to capture tax revenue from digital services, often through digital service taxes (DSTs) targeting major tech firms. Simultaneously, research and development (R&D) tax incentives—critical for fostering innovation and encouraging investment in technological advancements—are under threat. Many countries are revisiting their [...]
Event Recap: Health Equity Through Wearables: Reducing Costs, Saving Lives
Studies show that remote monitoring services and wearable health technology can reduce care costs for patients and the healthcare system while improving patient outcomes and engagement. The Connected Health Initiative (CHI) strongly believes in the promise of digital health to help improve health equity and access, and recently hosted a webinar focused on the importance of remote patient monitoring and wearable health technology for the continued improvement of health outcomes. The discussion featured insights from leaders across health tech and [...]
A Scroll Down Memory Lane: November 2024’s Member Mondays
A Scroll Down Memory Lane: November 2024’s Member Mondays ACT | The App Association’s members are at the forefront of innovation, leveraging technology to create meaningful solutions that drive positive change. Each month, we spotlight these trailblazing small businesses through our Member Monday series. In November, as elections dominated the headlines around the globe, we focused on the intersection of policy and innovation—an area where small businesses are navigating challenges and finding opportunities. From trade policies to data privacy regulations, [...]
Event Recap: U.S. Leadership in Standards for Emerging Technologies and AI
As artificial intelligence (AI) and other critical emerging technologies (CETs) reshape industries and society, the United States faces a pivotal moment in defining its leadership role in global standards development. Earlier this month, ACT | The App Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and USTelecom | The Broadband Association convened a distinguished panel to discuss how policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders can ensure the United States remains at the forefront of standards-setting for the technologies of tomorrow. Kedharnath Sankararaman, policy associate [...]
Statement On Decision from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) On In-App Purchases
In response to the recent decision by Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) to force Apple to change its practices for in-app purchases, a spokesperson for ACT | The App Association issued the following statement: “We are concerned with CADE’s decision to intervene in the Brazilian app ecosystem and risk distorting competition, particularly when the impacts of the European Union’s unprecedented Digital Markets Act are already appearing to reduce the EU’s competitiveness. CADE must preserve the access, trust, [...]
Statement from ACT | The App Association on the DoJ’s Proposed Remedies in its Case Against Google
Yesterday, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) finalized its proposed judgment in its case against Google, arguing for an unprecedented breakup of the company’s products and services that would hurt consumers and the small businesses that use them every day to compete and reach new customers. “The DoJ’s proposed remedies are actually an attempt to legislate based on flawed forecasts of the future in a manner that disregards the consequences small businesses in the app economy would bear,” said Morgan [...]